Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Last Tuesday, Dec. 14, I went to the state ID office to renew my ID card. I spent 41/2 hours there waiting for a procedure which I estimated should not have taken more than 45 minutes. Most of the information on the applicant is already available in state office files. The corridor leading to the room was very crowded with applicants as well as relatives or friends. People sat outside on the steps, blocking traffic and creating a safety hazard because people going up and down the stairs couldn't hold the railings. I understand this is the only facility on Oahu issuing ID cards. The situation is intolerable. Can't branches in other areas of the island be opened, even just part-time? ID card lines:
Use license,
go back laterAnswer: Unfortunately, there is only one office on Oahu that issues state ID cards and there are no plans to add any more for now, said Liane Moriyama, who administers the state ID card system. But, to avoid the crowds jamming the office again in six years, she plans to ask the Legislature to change the expiration dates on the cards to coincide with an applicant's birth date.
This is the situation: In 1997, an expiration date was added to the state ID card -- six years from the date of issue. Cards without a date all will expire on Dec. 31.
"While a two-year window was provided to the public, it seems that EVERYONE is coming in for a renewal now," she said. While her office is staffed and equipped to handle 200 cards a day, it is now issuing 500 a day, "hence the long waiting times," she said.
Moriyama emphasized that no one is required to get an ID card, especially if he or she has a driver's license. Those with driver's licenses who still want a state ID can renew their cards next year to avoid the long lines, she said.
Moriyama said there are many rumors circulating about the ID card, the most prevalent being that the fee will increase in January. Take it from her: the fee will remain at $15.
Call 587-3111 for information.
Auwe
To the driver of the bus who nearly collided with me about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. Your bus was heading town-bound and ran me off the road into the shoulder lane, just out of the Middle Street tunnel. You crossed a solid line and forced me to pull off the road to avoid a collision. This lane change was unnecessary because 100 yards later you changed back into the lane you came from. If there was no shoulder lane, I would have been sandwiched between you and the wall! -- L.K.(Officials believe they have identified the probable driver based on the time, location and a likely transposed number in the bus number your provided, said J. Roger Morton, senior vice president/director of operations for Oahu Transit Services.
(A safety supervisor conducted a week-long unobserved and unannounced check of buses in the area. None of the buses in the morning rush hour, including the driver in question, crossed the solid white line "in the manner described," Morton said.
(But the driver was warned "never to cross a solid line marking," he said. Other drivers were sent a reminder about the illegality of, and the danger in, crossing a solid white line.
(Drivers also were advised that those caught committing such a maneuver would be subject to appropriate discipline, as well as a citation from police, Morton said.
(Officials will continue periodic checks of the area. They apologized for what happened.)
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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